Variable angle connection assembly

ABSTRACT

A connection assembly configured to securely connect a spinal implant to a bone anchor. In particular, a variable angle connection assembly that is able to securely connect the spinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angle and position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant. Furthermore, a connection assembly that will not inadvertently lock the components of the connection assembly preventing the relative movement of the components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/966,012 filed on Aug. 13, 2013, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/277, 518 filed onOct. 20, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,529,605), which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/343,027 filed on Dec. 23, 2008 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,066,746), all of which are incorporated by reference intheir entirety herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a connection assembly, andmore particularly, to a variable angle spinal implant connectionassembly.

BACKGROUND

Spinal deformities, spinal injuries, and other spinal conditions may betreated with the use of spinal implants. Spinal implants are designed tosupport the spine and properly position the components of the spine. Onesuch spinal implant includes an elongated rod and a plurality of boneanchors. The elongated rod is positioned to extend along one of more ofthe components of the spine and the bone anchors are attached to thespinal components at one end and secured to the elongated rod at theother end.

However, due to the anatomical structure of the patient, the spinalcondition being treated, and, in some cases, surgeon preference, thebone anchors may be required to be positioned at various angles anddistances from the elongated rod. As a result, it can be difficult toobtain a secure connection between the elongated rod and the boneanchors.

As such, there exists a need for a connection assembly that is able tosecurely connect an elongated rod to bone anchors despite a variance inthe angle and position of the bone anchors with respect to the rod.

SUMMARY

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a connectionassembly that can be used to securely connect a spinal implant to a boneanchor. In particular, the present invention preferably provides avariable angle connection assembly that is able to securely connect thespinal implant to the anchors even when there is a variance in the angleand position of the anchors with respect to the spinal implant.Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides aconnection assembly that will not inadvertently lock the components ofthe connection assembly preventing the relative movement of thecomponents.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection assembly comprises a housingmember that has an aperture for receiving a portion of a spinal implant,an opening for receiving a securing member for securing the spinalimplant and a channel for receiving a receiving member. The receivingmember preferably has an aperture for receiving a portion of an anchor,a rim portion having at least one ridge, and a lumen. In addition, in apreferred embodiment, the receiving member is configured and dimensionedto be received in the channel of the housing member so that thereceiving member is rotatably and translatably connected to the housingmember. An interference member is preferably received in the lumen ofthe receiving member and is translatable in the lumen. In a preferredembodiment, an end of the interference member has an anchor contactingsurface for locking the anchor in place.

In a preferred embodiment, the connection assembly further comprises anannular member that is positioned over the receiving member and receivedin the channel of the housing member. Preferably, a face of the annularmember has at least one ridge and the at least one ridge on the rimportion of the receiving member faces the at least one ridge on thesecond face of the annular member. In a preferred embodiment, the ridgesare configured and dimensioned to engage with each other to lockrotational movement of the housing member and the receiving member.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention, areintended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limitthe scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a connection assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connection assembly shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevated side view of the connection assembly shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly shown inFIG. 1 in the direction of arrows A-A;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly shown inFIG. 1 in the direction of arrows B-B; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a connectionassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a preferred embodiment of a connectionassembly 10 is illustrated. The connection assembly 10 preferablyincludes a housing member 12 and a receiving member 14. The housingmember 12 includes an elongated aperture 16 at a first end for receivingat least a portion of a spinal implant 20, such as a spinal rod, and thereceiving member 14 includes an aperture 22 at a first end for receivingat least a portion of an anchor 24, such as a bone screw. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize that although only a bonescrew is shown, the aperture 22 of the receiving member 14 is capable ofreceiving any number of anchors including, but not limited to, otherorthopedic screws, hooks, bolts, or other similar bone anchoringdevices. The housing member 12 and the receiving member 14 arepreferably rotatably connected to each other. The rotatable connectioncan be of any suitable design, including a threaded connection, asnap-fit, or a captured connection.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing member 12 also includes a secondaperture 26 at the first end for receiving a securing member 28. Thesecond aperture 26 extends from an outer surface of the housing member12 toward the elongated aperture 16. In a preferred embodiment, thesecond aperture 26 is in fluid communication with the elongated aperture16. At least a portion of the second aperture 26 is preferably threadedto receive the securing member 28, but the second aperture 26 can alsobe non-threaded.

The securing member 28 is preferably a threaded set screw, as best seenin FIG. 2, but can be any type of securing member including, but notlimited to, a bolt, a pin, a shoe, an interference member, or a cammember. In a preferred embodiment, the securing member 28 is captured inthe second aperture 26 preventing accidental disengagement of thesecuring member 28 from the housing member 12. The securing member 28 iscaptured in the second aperture 26 by including an overhanging portion29 on the securing member 28 that abuts against the termination of thethreading in the second aperture 26.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the housing member 12 also includes,in a preferred embodiment, a channel 30 which extends from a second endof the housing member 12 toward the first end of the housing member 12.The channel 30 is in fluid communication with the elongated opening 16.Preferably, at least a portion of the channel 30 includes threading 31interrupted by at least one groove 32 extending from the second end ofhousing 12 toward the first end of housing member 12. In a preferredembodiment, the at least one groove 32 extends towards the first end ofthe housing member only a predetermined amount and preferably includesan end face 33 that defines the end of the groove 32.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the receiving member 14, in a preferredembodiment, is generally cylindrical in shape with a generally taperedlumen 15. In another preferred embodiment, the lumen 15 may not betapered and instead include a shoulder portion. The receiving member 14further includes a radially outwardly extending rim portion 34 on asecond end that has a plurality of ridges 36 preferably oriented towardthe first end of the receiving member 14. In a preferred embodiment, thereceiving member 14 also has a shoulder portion 38, spaced from the rimportion 34, on the second end of the receiving member 14. The receivingmember 14 is configured and dimensioned to be received within thechannel 30 of the housing member 12.

Turning back to FIGS. 1-5, the connection assembly 10 further includes,in a preferred embodiment, an interference member 40, a gear 42, a ringmember 44, and a cap member 46. The interference member 40 has agenerally polygonal shape that tapers from a second end to a first end.In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the interference member 40has a saddle portion 48 that is configured and dimensioned to abut theanchor 24 and the second end of the interference portion 40 has a face49 from which a cutout 50 extends towards the first end. The face 49preferably is flat, but may also be arcuate and generally conforms tothe shape of the spinal implant 20. In another preferred embodiment, theinterference member 40 has a generally rectangular shape with a firstend having a saddle portion that is configured and dimensioned to abutthe anchor and a second end that flares outwardly and includes a facefor abutting the spinal implant and a cutout. Although the cutout 50 islocated near the second end of the interference portion 40, it isenvisioned that the cutout 50 also be located near the first end of theinterference portion 40. The interference portion 40 is configured anddimensioned to be received within the lumen 15 of the receiver member14.

The gear 42, as best seen in FIG. 2, preferably is generally annular inshape and has a plurality of ridges 52 on one face and at least oneprojection 54 extending radially outwardly from the gear 42. In apreferred embodiment, the gear 42 is configured and dimensioned to fitover the shoulder portion 38 of the receiving member 14 and withinchannel 30 of the housing member 12. The gear 42 is preferably orientedso that the ridges 52 face the ridges 36 on the rim portion 34 of thereceiving member 14 and the at least one projection 54 is receivedwithin the at least one groove 32 in the housing member 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the ring member 44 is generally annular inshape, has a first face and a second face, and is configured anddimensioned to fit over the receiving member 14 and abut against theshoulder portion 38, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Preferably, the ringmember 44 also is configured and dimensioned to be received within thechannel 30 of the housing member 12. In a preferred embodiment, the ringmember 44 is made from titanium, but the ring member 44 can also be madefrom any biocompatible material including resilient polymers.

The cap member 46, in a preferred embodiment, is generally cylindricalin shape and tapers from a first end to a second end. The cap memberincludes an extension portion 56 near the first end of the cap memberand a lumen 60. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the extension portion56 preferably is threaded along at least a portion thereof and includesa ramp portion 57. Although the extension portion 56 preferably includesthreading, in another preferred embodiment, the extension portion maynot be threaded. Preferably, the diameter of the extension portion 56 issmaller than the diameter of the portion of the cap member 46immediately adjacent to the extension portion 56 creating a shoulderportion 58. In a preferred embodiment, the cap member 46 is configuredand dimensioned so the extension portion 56 engages the threading 31 inthe channel 30 of the housing member 12 and the shoulder portion 58abuts the second end of the housing member 12. The lumen 60 of the capmember 46 is configured and dimensioned to receive the receiving member14. In a preferred embodiment, the cap member 46 is captured in thechannel 30 of the housing member 12 to prevent the cap member 46 frominadvertently unthreading from the housing member 12.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, in a preferred arrangement of theelements of the connection assembly 10, the housing member 12 isrotatably connected to the receiving member 14. As mentioned above, thereceiving member 14 is received within the channel 30 of the housingmember 12. In a preferred embodiment, the second end of the receivingmember 14 abuts a medial wall 13 located within the housing member 12and the first end of the receiving member 14 extends beyond the secondend of the housing member 12. Positioned within the lumen 15 of thereceiving member 14 is the interference member 40.

In a preferred embodiment, also received within the channel 30 of thehousing member 12 is the gear 42 which fits over the shoulder portion 38of the receiving member 14. The at least one projection 54 on the gear42 is received within the at least one groove 32 and preferably abutsthe end face 33 of the groove 32. The end face 33 of the groove 32 isspaced from the medial wall 13 of the housing member 12 by apredetermined amount, so the gear 42, when placed in the channel 30, isspaced from the rim portion 34 of the receiving member 14 by apredetermined amount. Accordingly, the ridges 36 on the rim portion 34are spaced from the ridges 52 on the gear 42. The purpose of thisspacing is important and is explained further below.

In a preferred embodiment, the ring member 44 is also received withinthe channel 30 of the housing member 12 and also fits over the receivingmember 14. However, the inner diameter of the ring member 44 is smallerthan the shoulder portion 38 of the receiving member 14. As a result, atleast a portion of the second face of the ring member 44 will abut theshoulder portion 38. Preferably, the remaining portion of the secondface of the ring member 44 will contact the gear 42.

The cap member 46, in a preferred embodiment, is also received withinthe channel 30 of the housing member 12 and also fits over the receivingmember 14. The threads on the threaded portion 56 engage with thethreads 31 on the channel 30 to threadingly engage the threaded cap 46.Preferably, the threaded portion 56 is threaded into the channel 30until the shoulder portion 58 contacts the second end of the housingmember 12. In this position, the ramp portion 57 of the threaded portion56 abuts the first face of the ring member 44.

The preferred arrangement of the elements, as discussed above, allow thehousing member 12, the gear 42 and the cap member 46 to rotate withrespect to the receiving member 14, the ring member 44, and theinterference member 40. As the housing member 12 rotates, the gear 42will also rotate because of the at least one projection 54 located inthe at least one groove 32. Likewise, since the cap member 46 isthreaded and preferably captured in the channel 30 of the housing member12, the cap member 46 also rotates when the housing member 12 rotates.In contrast, the receiving member 14, although captured within thechannel 30 of the housing member 12 by virtue of the cap member 46 andthe rim portion 34, is capable of rotating as well as translating withinthe channel 30. Accordingly, the receiving member 14 does not rotatewhen the housing member 12 rotates. Similarly, the ring member 44,although captured within the channel 30 of the housing member 12 byvirtue of the shoulder portion 38 of the receiving member 14 and theramp portion 57 of the cap member 46, is capable of rotating withinchannel 30. Consequently, the ring member 44 does not rotate when thehousing member 12 rotates.

A preferred connection of the spinal implant 20 to the anchor 24 throughthe connection assembly 10 is best depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. In anexemplary use, the anchor 24 is implanted into a component of the spinalcolumn, such as a vertebral body in the spinal column. Preferably, theaperture 22 of the receiving member 14 of the connection assembly 10receives the anchor 24. The aperture 22 is configured and dimensioned toreceive any portion of the anchor 24 allowing the connection assembly 10to be placed anywhere along the length of the anchor 24. Accordingly,the connection assembly 10 can be translated along the anchor 24 untilthe desired position is achieved.

In an exemplary use, the spinal implant 20 is typically placed along atleast a portion of the length of the spinal column in an orientationthat is generally perpendicular to the anchor 24. Preferably, the spinalimplant 20 is also received in the connection assembly 10, where thespinal implant 20 is received in the elongated opening 16 in the housingmember 12. The elongated opening 16 is configured and dimensioned toreceive any portion of the spinal implant 20 allowing the connectionassembly 10 to be place anywhere along the length of the spinal implant20.

Additionally, since the housing member 12 and the receiving member 14are rotatably connected to each other, even if the anchor 24 and thespinal implant 20 are angularly offset, the connection member 10 can beoriented to a desired position to connect the spinal implant 20 and theanchor 24. Once the desired angular orientation and translationalpositioning of the connection assembly 10 with respect to the anchor 24and the spinal implant 20 is achieved, the connection assembly 10 can belocked, securing the anchor 24 and the spinal implant 20.

To lock the connection assembly 10, the securing member 28 is threadedinto the second aperture 26 in the housing member 12 where it contactsand pushes the spinal implant 20 toward the anchor 24. The spinalimplant 20 contacts the face 49 of the interference member 40 and pushesthe interference member 40 towards the anchor 24. As the interferencemember 40 is pushed by the spinal implant 20 towards the anchor 24, theinterference member 40, with the aid of the cutout 50, compresses in thelumen 15 of the receiving member 14, and continues towards the anchor24, while the receiving member 14 remains stationary. The saddle portion48 of the interference member 40 abuts the anchor 24, pushing the anchor24 into a sidewall of the aperture 22 in the receiving member 14,locking the anchor 24 in place with respect to the connector assembly10.

As the spinal implant 20 continues to move towards the anchor 24 andcontinues to push the interference member 40, the interference member 40no longer being able to compress any further in the lumen 15, pushesagainst the walls of the lumen 15 and moves the receiving member 14. Asthe receiving member 14 moves, the shoulder portion 38 pushes againstthe second face of the ring member 44. Since the first face of the ringmember 44 abuts the ramp portion 57 of the cap member 46, after apredetermined force is applied to the ring member 44 by the shoulderportion 38, the ring member 44 deflects or bends in the direction of theramp portion 57. With the ring member 44 no longer blocking the shoulderportion 38, the receiving member 14 continues moving towards the anchor24 until the ridges 36 on the rim portion 34 of the receiving member 14engage the ridges 52 on the gear 42. With the ridges 36 and 52 engaged,the relative rotation of the housing member 12 and the receiving member14 of the connection assembly 10 is locked. At this point, the spinalimplant 20 is also locked in place between the threaded member 28 andthe walls of the housing member 12 that define the elongated opening 16.With the spinal implant 20 locked in place, the relative rotation of thehousing member 12 and the receiving member 14 locked, and the anchor 24locked in place, the entire assembly is locked against movement.Adjustments to the entire assembly can be made by loosening the threadedmember 28 and then re-tightening the threaded member 28 once thepreferred positioning and orientation has be achieved.

It is important to note that because of the shoulder portion 38 abuttingthe ring member 44 and the at least one projection 54 of the gear 42abutting the end face 33 of the at least one groove 32, prior to thebending or deflection of the ring member 44, the ridges 36 on the rimportion 34 of the receiving member 14 can not engage the ridges 52 onthe gear 42. This arrangement of elements prevents any inadvertentengagement of the ridges 36, 52 thereby preventing any unintendedrotational locking of the housing member 12 with respect to thereceiving member 14.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a second preferred embodiment of a connectionassembly 110 is shown. The connection assembly 110 preferably includes ahousing member 112 and a receiving member 114. The housing member 112includes an elongated aperture 116 at a first end for receiving at leasta portion of a spinal implant 120 and the receiving member 114 includesan aperture 122 at a first end for receiving at least a portion of ananchor 124. The housing member 112 and the receiving member 114 arepreferably rotatably connected to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing member 112 also includes a secondaperture 126 at the first end for receiving a securing member 128. Thesecond aperture 126 extends from an outer surface of the housing member112 toward the elongated aperture 116. In a preferred embodiment, thesecond aperture 126 is in fluid communication with the elongatedaperture 116. At least a portion of the second aperture 126 ispreferably threaded to receive the securing member 128. In a preferredembodiment, the securing member 128 is captured in the second aperture126 preventing accidental disengagement of the securing member 128 fromthe housing member 112.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the housing member 112 alsoincludes, in a preferred embodiment, a channel 130 which extends from asecond end of the housing member 112 toward the first end of the housingmember 112. The channel 130 is in fluid communication with the elongatedopening 116. Preferably, at least a portion of the channel 130 includesthreading 131.

The receiving member 114, in a preferred embodiment, is generallycylindrical in shape with a cylindrical lumen 115 extending from asecond end to the first end. Preferably, the cylindrical lumen is influid communication with the aperture 122. In a preferred embodiment, inthe lumen 115 of the receiving member 114, a plurality of ridges 132 arepresent. The receiving member 114 is configured and dimensioned to bereceived within the channel 130 of the housing member 112 and includesthreading 117 on an outer surface thereof to engage with the threading131 in the channel 130. Since the receiving member 114 is threadinglyreceived in the channel 130 of the housing member 112, the lateralposition of the receiving member 114 with respect to the housing member112 can be adjusted by rotating the receiving member 114. This allowsfor controlled lateral adjustment of the anchor 124 with respect to thespinal implant 120.

The connection assembly 110 further includes, in a preferred embodiment,an implant interference member 140 and an anchor interference member142. The implant interference member 140 has a generally cylindricalshape and includes a channel 144 that extends from a first end towards asecond end of the implant interference member 140. In a preferredembodiment, at least a portion of the channel 144 of the implantinterference member 140 includes threading 146 to engage the anchorinterference member 142. The implant interference member 140 alsopreferably includes at least one cutout portion 145, extending from thesecond end towards the first end, that separates at least a portion ofthe implant interference member 140 into sections. In a preferredembodiment, the implant interference member 140 also includes ridges 148on an outer surface thereof. The implant interference member 140 isconfigured and dimensioned to be received in part within the lumen 115of the receiving member 144 and in part within the channel 130 of thehousing member 112.

The anchor interference member 142, in a preferred embodiment, also isgenerally cylindrical and includes threading 150 extending along atleast a portion of the anchor interference member 142 from a secondtowards a first end. The anchor interference member 142 is configuredand dimensioned to be received within the channel 144 of the implantinterference member 144. In a preferred embodiment, the threading 150 ofthe anchor interference member 142 threadingly engages the threading 146in the channel 144 of the implant interference member 140.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, to lock the connection assembly 110,the securing member 128 is threaded into the second aperture 126 in thehousing member 112 where it contacts and pushes the spinal implant 120toward the anchor 124. The spinal implant 120 contacts the implantinterference member 140 and pushes the implant interference member 140towards the anchor 124. As the implant interference member 140 is pushedby the spinal implant 120 towards the anchor 124, the anchorinterference member 142, which is threadingly engaged with the implantinterference member 140, also moves towards the anchor 124. The firstend of the anchor interference member 142 abuts the anchor 124, pushingthe anchor 124 into a sidewall of the aperture 122 in the receivingmember 114, locking the anchor 124 in place with respect to theconnector assembly 110.

As the spinal implant 120 continues to move towards the anchor 124 andcontinues to push the implant interference member 140, the implantinterference member 140 abuts against a medial wall 152 in the receivingmember 114 and is no longer able to translate in the lumen 115 of thereceiving member 114. The continued movement of the spinal implant 120toward the anchor 124 results in the implant interference member 140splaying radially outwardly with the aid of the at least one cutout 145.The implant interference member 140 splays outwardly until until theridges 148 on the puter surface of the implant interference member 140engage the ridges 132 in the lumen 115 of the receiving member 114. Withthe ridges 132 and 148 engaged, the relative rotation of the housingmember 112 and the receiving member 114 of the connection assembly 110is locked. At this point, the spinal implant 120 is also locked in placebetween the threaded member 128 and the walls of the housing member 112that define the elongated opening 116. With the spinal implant 120locked in place, the relative rotation of the housing member 112 and thereceiving member 114 locked, and the anchor 124 locked in place, theentire assembly is locked against movement. Adjustments to the entireassembly can be made by loosening the threaded member 128 and thenre-tightening the threaded member 128 once the preferred positioning andorientation has be achieved.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection assembly for connecting a spinalimplant to an anchor, the connection assembly comprising: a housingmember having a first end and a second end, the housing member having anaperture proximate the first end for receiving a portion of a spinalimplant and a channel extending from the second end towards the firstend, the channel is in fluid connection with the aperture and orientedgenerally transversely to the aperture; a receiving member having afirst end and a second end, the receiving member having an apertureproximate the first end and a lumen extending from the second endtowards the first end, the lumen is in fluid communication with theaperture and oriented generally transversely to the aperture, the secondend of the receiving member is received in the channel so that thereceiving member is rotatably and translatably connected to the housingmember; a cap member having a lumen and an extension portion, whereinthe channel of the housing member receives the extension portion of thecap member; and an anchor configured to be received in the aperture ofthe receiving member.
 2. The connection assembly of claim 1, theconnection assembly further comprising: an annular member having a firstface and a second face, the annular member positioned over the receivingmember and received in the channel, wherein the receiving member has arim portion having at least one ridge proximate the second end, whereinthe second face of the annular member has at least one ridge, andwherein the at least one ridge on the rim portion faces the at least oneridge on the second face of the annular member.
 3. The connectionassembly of claim 2, wherein the housing member has an opening proximatethe first end for receiving a securing member.
 4. The connectionassembly of claim 3 further comprising a spinal implant in the apertureof the housing member, and a securing member in the opening in thehousing member, wherein the securing member presses the elongated spinalimplant against the interference member and the housing member to lockthe elongated spinal implant, the interference member, the receivingmember, the annular member and the bone anchor with respect to eachother.
 5. The connection assembly of claim 1, the connection assemblyfurther comprising a ring member having a first face and a second face,wherein the receiving member has a shoulder portion, and wherein thering member is positioned over the receiving member and received in thechannel, the second face of the ring member contacts the shoulderportion.
 6. The connection assembly of claim 2, wherein the annularmember has at least one projection and the channel has at least onegroove for receiving the at least one projection.
 7. The connectionassembly of claim 1, wherein the extension portion is threaded and atleast a portion of the channel is threaded so that the cap member isthreadingly received in the channel of the housing member.
 8. Theconnection assembly of claim 1, wherein the lumen is configured anddimensioned to receive the receiving member.
 9. The connection assemblyof claim 1, wherein the interference member has a saddle portion at afirst end and a cutout at the second end.
 10. A connection assembly forconnecting a spinal implant to an anchor, the connection assemblycomprising: a housing member having a first end and a second end, thehousing member having an aperture proximate the first end for receivinga portion of a spinal implant and a channel extending from the secondend towards the first end, the channel is in fluid connection with theaperture and oriented generally transversely to the aperture; areceiving member having a first end and a second end, the receivingmember having an aperture proximate the first end, a shoulder portionproximate the second end, and a rim portion proximate the second end,the second end of the receiving member is received in the channel sothat the receiving member is rotatably and translatably connected to thehousing member; a ring member having a first face and a second face, thering member positioned over the receiving member and received in thechannel, the second face of the ring member contacting the shoulderportion; a cap member having a lumen for receiving the receiving memberand an extension portion, the extension portion of the cap member isreceived in the channel and contacts the first face of the ring member,wherein the channel includes at least one groove for receiving the atleast one projection; and an anchor configured to be received in theaperture of the receiving member.
 11. The connection assembly of claim10, further comprising: an interference member having a first end and asecond end, the first end of the interference member having an anchorcontacting surface, wherein the receiving member has a lumen extendingfrom the second end towards the first end, the lumen is in fluidcommunication with the aperture and oriented generally transversely tothe aperture, and wherein the interference member is translatablyreceived in the lumen.
 12. The connection assembly of claim 11, whereinthe interference member has a saddle portion at a first end and a cutoutat the second end.
 13. The connection assembly of claim 10, furthercomprises an annular member having a first face and a second face, theannular member positioned over the receiving member and received in thechannel.
 14. The connection assembly of claim 13, wherein the rimportion has at least one ridge, wherein the second face of the annularmember has at least one ridge, and wherein the at least one ridge on therim portion faces the at least one ridge on the second face of theannular member.
 15. The connection assembly of claim 10, wherein thehousing member has an opening proximate the first end for receiving asecuring member.
 16. The connection assembly of claim 15, furthercomprising a spinal implant in the aperture of the housing member, asecuring member in the opening, wherein the spinal implant is anelongate spinal rod, wherein the securing member is a set screw, andwherein the anchor is a bone screw.
 17. The connection assembly of claim11, wherein the extension portion is threaded and at least a portion ofthe channel is threaded so that the cap member is threadingly receivedin the channel of the housing member.
 18. A connection assembly forconnecting a spinal implant to an anchor, the connection assemblycomprising: a housing member having a first end and a second end, thehousing member having an aperture proximate the first end for receivinga portion of a spinal implant, an opening proximate the first end forreceiving a securing member, and a channel extending from the second endtowards the first end, the channel is in fluid connection with theaperture and oriented generally transversely to the aperture; areceiving member having a first end and a second end, the receivingmember having an aperture proximate the first end, a shoulder portionproximate the second end, a rim portion proximate the second end, and alumen extending from the second end towards the first end, the lumen isin fluid communication with the aperture and oriented generallytransversely to the aperture, the second end of the receiving member isreceived in the channel so that the receiving member is rotatably andtranslatably connected to the housing member; a cap member having alumen for receiving the receiving member and an extension portion, theextension portion of the cap member is received in the channel andcontacts the first face of the ring member; and an anchor configured tobe received in the aperture of the receiving member.